Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 4

Luci

When I arrive at the address Mrs. Walters sent me, I didn’t expect to need to be buzzed into a massive white iron gate. The house behind it doesn’t come into view until I round a curve.

I gasp out loud as I stare at it. This is what a mansion looks like is all I could think. I lived in many different sized houses and even a few apartments as a kid. Janet’s house was the biggest I’d ever been in and it was only like eighteen hundred square feet with four bedrooms. We had bunk beds, two sets in each room. I doubt anyone shares a room in this place. It’s all gray and white stone with white bricks. The front double doors are mostly glass with an understated blue color on the sides. White ornate flower arrangements hang on each door.

I park and slowly walk toward the door, stuffing my hands into my jacket. I dressed a little nicer wearing black pants and a blue sweater. Hopefully there isn’t a dress code.

I ring the bell, blowing out a slow breath. Calm down butterflies, I tell my stomach.

A man wearing a white shirt and black pants answers the door.

“Yes, may I help you?”

“Hi, I’m Luci Forrester. I am supposed to meet Mrs. Walters here at 3:30.”

He blinks twice before stepping back. “Of course, Miss Forrester. Please follow me to the mistress’s tea room. I’m Baker the butler.”

At that I bite my lip not to laugh. That would be so inappropriate right now. Who has a butler these days?! And really he’s Baker the Butler? Is the cook named Butler, because my mind will just explode at that point. Stop it, Luci, I fuss at myself; otherwise, I am going to giggle.

I leave that train of thought to board the next one, which is WOW. The floors are white and black marble, so shiny someone must mop and polish them daily. Huge chandeliers adorn the wide foyer with a fancy wrought iron table and matching mirror above it to my right. Set off slightly to my right is one of those massive wide staircases you see in the movies. It’s all very fancy and ostentatious but impressive nonetheless.

Baker leads me up the stairs and knocks on a door next to a set of glass doors housing what appears to be a small city library. To the left is one closed door on a long wall.

“Come in, Baker.”

There she is. He opens the door, gesturing for me to walk in with one arm extended to keep the door back. I take that to mean I enter without him. Again, I need to keep my mouth shut forcibly.

The room has white wainscoting with pink and blue floral toile wallpaper. The furniture is all white with frilly pillows on the white couch. A huge chandelier resides in here also. I see Mrs. Walters sitting at a small bistro table. It has a huge vase of pink roses on top.

“Miss Forrester, you found the address.” She sounds surprised, and I wonder how low her bar is set for me. I simply nod and wait.

“If you will sit here, I have a contract for your employment. I kept it simple, so it’s only one page long. Also, this is a non-disclosure agreement. You will be prohibited from revealing any information about my family and friends. You can say you keep a young boy named Cole, but nothing else, even his last name, can be revealed. If so, you will be in violation, Miss Forrester, and it is a steep penalty. I trust this isn’t a problem.”

“I have one question, Mrs. Walters. Once a week, I have to pick up my best friend’s nephew from after-school care. He’s five. Would that be a problem? I could have Cole at my place or could take him with me and they could perhaps play together. I wouldn’t tell him anything other than Cole’s first name.” I wait nervously. If not, Syd said she would make other arrangements.

“I think that would be fine. Cole would like to have someone he could play with. Pick him up when you collect Cole and bring them here. If it becomes a problem, I will not hesitate to end the arrangement.”

I’m sure she won’t.

“Thank you, Mrs. Walters.”

She hands over the papers, and I read them, trying to pay attention to all the legal jargon. The contract is easy, set up in lay terms, but the NDA is a disaster. All I get from it is that I will owe her a million dollars if I violate the agreement. That’s enough for me to know I’ll never do that.

She subtly pushes a pen in my direction, and I sign them both. I receive a tight smile in response.

“Are you ready to begin today? Cole is most anxious to see you again. Baker will be able to go over all the things you should need to know also.”

“Yes, I am.” I had prepared for this.

“Follow me.”

She leads me out of the room and down the stairway. I hear Cole laughing at something, and it makes me smile. At least he’s not sitting somewhere having to write lines about proper decorum or behavior. We round a corner into a massive gray and white marble kitchen. The cabinets are painted a light blue with silver appliances. Cole sits at the island eating cookies with a glass of milk.

“Madam.” Baker says formally, and Cole turns to wave, but then his eyes light up and he leaps off the stool causing it to crash to the ground.

Mrs. Walters immediately barks out his name, “Cole Matthew!”

He stops looking afraid. “Sorry Grandmother, I pick it up.” He turns immediately to do that as she sighs.

“Baker, Luci will begin watching Cole today. Can you please go over his routine and show her around the house?”

“Yes, I will.” He nods at me, and I wonder if he’s friendly. Cole was laughing in here moments ago.

“Perfect. I will be going over to Lorraine’s then. Be back in time for dinner. We have no guests scheduled. No need for Cole to change tonight. He can have his bath and be in pajamas for dinner.” She walks away, and Cole comes to launch himself at me.

“You came to watch me. I said only Luci.” He’s bouncing in my arms and I set him down.

“I’m here. And now I feel really special that you wanted me. Are you done with your cookies?” He nods at me happily. “Ok, we’ll go play, but I think Mr. Baker needs to show me the ropes first.”

Cole giggles. “We don’t have ropes.”

“You do. You just don’t know it.” I tickle his side and turn to face the butler. He’s smiling at us.

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